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Nearly 25,000 Parents Owe Child Support In Marion County

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry says his office wants to help parents who owe back child support.

He launched the child support amnesty program called, "Stop Delaying - Start Paying." Curry says county 84 staffers collected $107 million in child support payments last year, but much more is owed.

Officials say they're focusing on about 400 parents who've recently entered the system and are most likely to begin paying and remaining consistent. However, Curry says the amnesty program is open to all parents falling behind in child support and seeking help. Parents who take part in the amnesty program and start paying can avoid civil and criminal charges and getting their drivers licenses suspended or revoked.

Officials admit that the amnesty program isn't new. However, they say this time around, they're focusing on their "Parents That Work" portion of the program that aims to address varied reasons why parents fall behind in payments and they're seeking referrals on their behalf.

Officials say there are upwards of 25,000 parents in Marion County who've fallen behind in child support payments for a variety of reasons, mainly economic. The "Parents That Work" program aims to address that number by focusing on ways to help delinquent parents mainly through job referrals.

The child support amnesty programs runs through September 30th. For more information, call 327-1800.

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